Colombian President Gustavo Petro is defending his decision to award the Order of Boyacá, one of the country’s highest honors, to his Minister of Health. The move has drawn criticism from the opposition, prompting Petro to address the concerns publicly. He argues the Minister deserves recognition for securing what he describes as the largest budget investment in the history of Colombia’s healthcare system. Petro emphasized the substantial financial commitment made to health initiatives under his administration. This defense comes as the government navigates ongoing debates regarding healthcare reform and resource allocation. The award aims to acknowledge advancements in public health despite political pushback. The story was originally reported by La Silla Vacía.